Would it be unreasonable to offer to pay my cleaner less?

[kissthefish]

I have a new cleaner. He started with me a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good. I have paid him so far by bank transfer on the day. However he has asked if I can pay him in future in cash.
Thing is, it’s an awkward amount. £54. I have no issue doing this when I’m at work, as my workplace is very close to a bank. However on school holidays (I’m a teacher) it’s going to be an inconvenient pain in the ass, as I don’t live near a bank. I tend not to have cash floating around, as I pay for everything by card.
Would I be unreasonable to offer to pay him £50 cash during the holidays?
Also, is it the norm for cleaners not to make the bed? He leaves them as they are (roughly made, as the mornings are a rush) but doesn’t straighten them out, which looks odd in a clean bedroom.
Thanks.

I’m always shocked to read comments saying someone avoiding paying tax is not their business. That can only be the class of you do not care about public services at all

Paying cash is dodgy and probably tax avoidance. Did you check his paperwork?

Why does he want to be paid in cash?

Tell him it’s not convenient.

Alternatively, you can get a bag of one hundred pound coins from the bank and keep that for paying him.

Bank account in overdraft and they would swallow up the money immediately leaving them with money for food or transport perhaps

just pay 60 one week and 50 the next..

Shouldn't be encouraging tax avoidance

Maybe if it’s ok for your headteacher to pay less than the going rate for you??

He’s a bloke regarding the finishing touches. Just be glad that he does the basics really good. Yes could be a ploy to avoid tax but don’t hold that against him. You can’t really drop his money so either pay him £55 or just refuse to pay by cash as it’s a ball ache to go to the bank. and pay him by bank transfer.

It depends how big your house is. My cleaner does 3 hours and she does our open plan kitchen / lounge / diner, the hallway (which is large … about 14 metresx 3.5m), stairs, snug and main bathroom - I sometimes get her to do our bedroom but it never includes the bed as it’s a bit personal
in my opinion. My brothers cleaner, he lives alone, she literally goes in and does what she thinks he needs doing and charges his however long it took her, and she changes sheets and everything .. but that suits him as he works long hours as a consultant medic. … long way around if you want him to do more then ask him but it may take more time

I don't pay anyone in cash any more, it is just too difficult to organise on a regular basis as I WFH so never go near a cash point.

I also think there are too many self-employed people dodging taxes and committing benefit fraud. Whilst I accept that there may be other reasons for wanting cash, I don't think they should insist on it.

Just say you’ll pay £60 and need £6 change

He would only want cash if he's not declaring it. Did you properly vet him? Is he insured?

You said he was a cleaner, not a housekeeper, so yes normal to leave the bed unmade.

I'm sure if he had excess time he would make it, but it's not his job.

Id probably just say no to the cash tbh. A payment is payment and £54 is an odd amount for cash. I wouldnt be paying him £60 and it would be unreasonable to offer £50

If its annoying why don't you just say that. And continue with bank transfer

@GabriellaFaith not true. When I cleaned it took bank transfers and then switched to cash because so many people delayed payment by bank transfer for a few days. I needed the money on the day. And asking for cash was the only way to make sure this happened

Reading some of these comments is shocking. I have a mixture of the way people pay. And I do pay tax and national insurance. I let them decide and
it’s not an issue. Frankly the fact you are a teacher and are stating you want to knock the amount down is absolutely awful.
it screams well you are just a cleaner and you don’t deserve anymore.
Also people are saying it’s an odd amount . Well it’s £18 an hour at 3 hours.
What is odd about it ? I realise you have to look around for the change, but if you valued your cleaner it would not be a problem.
The amount of threads on mumsnet saying I cant get a cleaner and finding a good one is hard to find. It’s hardly surprising if this is how you treat them.
To be honest, you know instantly if the client is a good fit for you and vice a versa.
Please remember the best way to find a good cleaner is by personnel recommendation.

You have a cleaner not a housekeeper so i wouldn;t expect the bed to be made.

Thank God someone finally said it. Absolute bloody cheek.

That's a completly seperate issue, and the poster opening sentence reads that she has paid him by bank transfer on the day, so isn't the reason this person is asking for cash. If delayed payment was an issue, they would ask to have a direct debit set up or ask to be paid in the morning or something.

Hmm good cleaners do it without being asked

Ooooft! I wouldn't lower my price. I think that's a wee tad ccheeky.If £54 is what was agreed on then a deals a deal!

Never heard of cleaners making the bed. Thought this was only done by Hotel Housekeeping Staff.

And long gone servants in places like Downton.

Why do people always jump to the conclusion that requesting payment in cash is about avoiding paying tax? I know that for many that it may be the case, but on the other hand, it may simply be that like the OP, he finds it difficult to get to the bank, and needs cash to pay for other things.

I think you should just tell him that paying cash makes it difficult for you OP, and tell him that you'd prefer to continue paying by bank transfer.

Probably because many of us have previously known cleaners who do just that.

But also people may be suspicious because it’s increasingly common to not use cash at all.

I’ve only needed to use cash once this year so far, which was for the school fair.

I pay my own cleaner by bank transfer.

I'm amazed any of you still employ cleaners. You seem to think they're all dishonest yet you're willing to let them into your homes. Do you lock all of your valuables away before they arrive? Do you have cameras in each room to monitor their every move?